Some have asked why I talk about scapegoating so much. Before I
answer, I’d like to review what I mean by scapegoating. It is the
transfer of guilt, which nearly all people do in part to see themselves
as “good” and worthy of mercy from God (or whatever they call the
divine). Not only is such transfer of guilt unjust in itself, it leads
to further injustices, because punishment of the victims of scapegoating
“confirms” their guilt.

Scapegoating brings communities together – the collective accusation
generates a sense of camaraderie by making a group of people feel better
about themselves at the expense of one or more victims. Indeed, cynical
leaders have long known that hatred of an outside “enemy” can deflect
criticism of their own rule. We can see scapegoating at many levels of
society. “Popular” kids at school are generally the ones who chose and
torment scapegoat victims, and many families have a “black sheep” who
the rest of the family regards with contempt. As humanism has made it
harder to scapegoating minorities, people with disabilities, women, and
other vulnerable people, animals have increasingly become targets of
scapegoating.

I think Christianity offers us ways to build community without the
injustice of scapegoating. If we believe that our sins are forgivable
and that God loves us despite our flaws, we might no longer feel
compelled to blame other individuals for our own shortcomings and
transgressions. This, I think, is a central component of the “faith of
Christ” that, if we share, can inspire us to become healers of a broken
and violent world.

Next week, I will discuss how animals have become scapegoat victims,
which is one reason that animal liberation is essential to human
liberation.

* The Editorial, entitled "The Sky Is Falling," deals with the
experience of internal collapse of meaning which may threaten those who
hear the message that our culture's treatment of farmed animals is an
evil thing. It also suggests that a larger and enduring sky may be found
beyond the fallen "sacred canopy."

* One of the Unset Gems, from Martin Luther King Jr., tells us that
peace is not only the goal but the way.

* We Glimpse the Peaceable Kingdom in photographs showing natural
enemies making friends in Arctic weather.

* That's Why We Don't Eat Animals, a picture book for the children of
vegetarians, is reviewed in our January Children's Book Review.

* In "My Pilgrimage," Canadian Ann-Marie Joiner tells how her efforts
to go completely veg got the push they needed from a tiny kitten named
Elmo.

* The Poetry section features "Beatitudes for a New Era" by Sr. Faith
Bowman, and "Dust of Snow" by Robert Frost.

We hope more of our readers will take a moment to write their
responses to any of the features in this issue. If you have had thoughts
of contributing your own Pilgrimage story but lack time, please write
and let us know, and something can surely be arranged.